In spite of a cold spring and below normal rainfall here in western Montana, the wildflowers are blooming, but about two weeks later than usual. This morning there was fresh snow on the mountainsides a thousand feet above the valley floor.

Western Gromwell, Lemonweed ~ Lithospermum ruderale

Western Serviceberry, Saskatoon ~ Amelanchier alnifolia

Field Pepperweed, Field Peppergrass or Pepperwort, Field Cress ~ Lepidium campestre

Ohhh, that’s cool for this time of year. It’s not that warm here right now either, but better than 29. We have 52 F (11 C). It should be up in the 70s and 80s (F). But your tough little flowers look great. That early bit of colour is always cheery and hopeful.

It’s looking like we might be in for a cool, dry summer. I love the fairy slipper orchid. I haven’t seen a single orchid here yet.
Your wildflowers are really very different than ours. The name Toxicoscordion venenosum tells me all I need to know about the death camas!

That’s the first orchid to bloom here in the spring. The danger with the Death Camas is that its bulbs look nearly identical to those of the common Blue Camas, which was a food staple of the early Indian tribes. They had to harvest the bulbs while the plants were in bloom to be sure.

That little orchid is usually overlooked. It likes to grow in thin forests, but under most other shrubs and grasses. To get photos of it that day I had to spread the grasses and woody stalks around it to have an open shot and they are only about 4 inches tall. Usually photographed from the prone position.

Just beautiful. So glad the wildflower show has begun up there. We are really starting to dry out and expect temps close to 100 this week. Ugh! Lots of wildflowers many much smaller in stature than usual but they are there for those who take the time to look.

Our wildflowers are very small and most are quite sparse, but I think they are worth looking closely for. They are a fascination for me. I’ve cataloged over 200 different species in just the small area of about 1500 square miles through which I roam. I know there are many more in the southern and eastern parts of the state.

That’s one of my favorites. It is evergreen, quite widespread in the mid to high elevations and the bright red berries are food for wildlife, especially grouse. I find them tasteless, but they are nourishing.

All flowers are improved by a droplet or two of rain. And I had to smile at the spider web on the fairy slipper. Some little creature’s been busy! The variety really is astounding. The names are interesting, too. I love the kinnikinnik, and I also noted the “toxi” is the death camus’ scientific name. Thanks for the explanation.

The little wildflowers certainly do attract the attention of insects and hence spiders. It’s an interesting part of their study. The Death Camas really is deadly: I hate to think about how that was first discovered! The clay tablet on which the death certificate of one of the very early Indians probably read: “Something he ate disagreed with him”.

They really are beautiful, aren’t they! Most are tiny and somewhat elusive, but well worth finding and appreciating, I believe, and although I don’t know what it is, but I think they each have a purpose.

Hi Montucky, Gosh, what a bunch (pardon that pun) of flowers! I don’t know which of the photographs I like the best. I think all of these blossoms are quite delicate and lovely! You are a wonderful photographer. Have a really excellent day tomorrow!